Front Recovery Hook 2011 Tacoma

I was hoping someone could help with this, On my new Tacoma there is a recovery hook on the driver's side and on the passenger side in a very similar place there is what appears to be a shipping tie down loop. It appears fairly sturdy and is bolted to the frame. Can this be used as a second recovery point? Either in conjunction with the other one or on its own? If not will the bolt pattern allow it to be replaced by a recovery hook? Also, it seems to me that the location of the existing hook is less than desireable from the standpoint of damaging the skid plate/bull bars. Can longer bolts be placed on the bull bar mounts and recovery hooks be mounted there?

I think you have those backwards -- there's a loop on the driver's side that is for shipping tie-down, and a bolt-on "loop" on the passenger side for recovery. On TRD offroads they get a tow hook there on the passenger side in place of the loop.

I think I may not understand the two loop definitions. On my driver's side is a "loop" of round steel. On the passenger side there is a bolt on angle bracket with a hole in it. Are you saying the bolt on angle bracket is for recovery? The item in whippersnapper02's link is on the passenger side of my taco. He has implied he replaced that because it isn't used for recovery? Help me out I am quite confused.

ok, upon further investigation I believe I understand better. The passenger side bracket is intended as a tow hook/recovery point. The drivers side is not. So my next question is how do I either remove the tie down loop and replace it with a tow/recovery point or leave it and add one? AND, is there a good reason I see posts of taco owners replacing the passenger side recovery point? Is it not strong enough?

FWIW My understanding is:
The Welded-On Driver's Side Loop is for Towing.
Members here have voiced concerns of it tearing off in "Hard Recovery Efforts"
The Bolt-On Passenger's side Eye is for Tie Down during shipping

The TRD Offroad Recovery Hook has the same Bolt Pattern as this Tie Down.
TRD Recovery Hook Part #51961-35080. Cost is somewhere around a million dollars.
You will also need two Longer Bolts to replace the ones securing the Tie Down Eye.
Bolt Part #90119-A0193 (for one) $3 +/- each
Keep in mind it is just a "Hook" not a "Loop" for a Shackle

According to Toyota its the other way around. The soloution I have arived at to achieve the results I need, (Mainly retrieval via two recovery points on my front end without damaging the bull bar or skid plate) is to remove both points and have two heavy duty d rings mounts welded to the sides of the frame, cost about $65 all in incluiding welding.

According to Toyota its the other way around. The soloution I have arived at to achieve the results I need, (Mainly retrieval via two recovery points on my front end without damaging the bull bar or skid plate) is to remove both points and have two heavy duty d rings mounts welded to the sides of the frame, cost about $65 all in incluiding welding.